BD NarayankarBengaluru, May 29 -- By stepping down as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah may have relinquished office, but not political authority, a reality that is increasingly emerging as the Congress party's biggest challenge in Karnataka following the leadership transition in favour of DK Shivakumar.
Political observers believe Siddaramaiah's enduring grip over legislators, backward class networks and grassroots workers could continue to shape the state Congress long after the formal transfer of power.
The Congress high command is wary of disturbing Siddaramaiah's influential AHINDA social coalition - comprising minorities, backward classes and Dalits - which has remained central to the party's electoral success in Karnataka.
Described as...